National Rural Mental Health Forum

Ground-breaking research into mental health in rural Scotland has recently been undertaken by Support in Mind Scotland with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

The research reveals problems that isolation, access to services and mental health stigma can be for Scottish rural communities. The research also revealed the way individuals talk about mental health in different age groups and genders.

This research underpinned Support in Mind Scotland forming the new National Rural Mental Health Forum, which includes 60 organisations from the mental health and rural worlds, and has received start-up funding from the Scottish Government.

It was recognised that mental health organisations often struggle to access people in remoter areas, whilst rural organisations are aware and now have evidence of mental health issues in rural parts of Scotland, but didn't always have the expertise to tackle mental health issues. The outreach of rural organisations in the Forum shall be vital in tackling mental health issues in rural Scotland.

The Forum shall be campaigning to raise awareness of mental health issues, help to reduce stigma of talking about mental health and wellbeing, signpost individuals and create new support networks. Visit the Forum’s website here www.ruralwellbeing.org and contact Jim Hume for details [email protected]

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